Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate is a synthetic sunscreen agent that helps shield skin against UVA rays with peak absorption at 354 nm (the UVA range extends to 400 nm). Currently it is not an FDA-approved sunscreen agent in the United States; however, it is an approved UV filter in many other markets, including the European Union, China, Australia, and Japan at a 10% maximum concentration.

Suppliers of this ingredient and research studies indicate that diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate offers excellent photostability. It is considered superior to avobenzone (another popular UVA spectrum sunscreen agent) in this regard and can be used alone or in tandem with other UV absorbers. It’s important to know, however, that avobenzone’s stability disadvantage can be overcome by several methods, making it a very effective UVA absorber.

Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate is lipophilic, meaning it is soluble in oils/fats/lipids, which positively impacts this ingredient’s affinity for the epidermis, since this layer of skin contains natural lipids.

Due to its role of protecting skin from damaging UVA rays that accelerate signs of ageing, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate can be considered an anti-ageing ingredient. This type of radiation is present all day long, and penetrates deeply into skin, where it causes a cascade of damage that leads to many signs of ageing, such as coarse wrinkles and loss of firmness.

In raw material form, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate’s appearance is described as a white to light salmon colored granular powder. Due to its oil-soluble nature, diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate must be incorporated in the oil phase of emulsions.

In 2008, the European Commission for Health & Consumer Protection submitted their opinion on the safety of diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate. Their Scientific Committee on Consumer Products report deemed it does not pose a risk to the health of the consumer at a maximum concentration of 10%.